CP&DR -

State High Court Hears Zoning, CEQA Cases

May 3, 2007

California, Legal Digest, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 05 May 2007, Zoning

LOS ANGELES _ The California Supreme Court has heard oral arguments in two unrelated land use cases that could have profound impacts for planners, developers and property owners.One case involves a City of Hanford zoning ordinance that restricts who may sell furniture; the second case concerns whether an airport land use compatibility plan is subject to environmental review. The court heard oral arguments in both cases on the same day in early April. Decisions are due by July 3.

Homeownership Programs Prove Tricky

May 3, 2007

California, Housing, Legislation, Paul Shigley, Vol. 22 No. 05 May 2007

As the popularity of inclusionary zoning for affordable housing has grown, so has the number of cities and counties who have a stake in affordable homeownership problems. Experts in those programs, however, warn that they are fraught with dangers and require extensive monitoring to ensure that units remain affordable.

Rancho Guejito: Environmental Gem Or New Growth Area?

May 3, 2007

Local Watch, New cities, Paul Shigley, San Diego County, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007

The owners of a 22,000-acre ranch in San Diego County are making preliminary moves to develop their property, located several miles east of Escondido. However, environmentalists, public land advocates and even a pro-growth county supervisor are already lining up in opposition.

The property is Rancho Guejito, which is both one of the last intact Spanish land grants remaining in California and the largest parcel of undeveloped, privately owned land in San Diego County. Environmentalists have long wanted to protect the property, which is mostly untouched except for cattle grazing on portions of the site.

Washington's Carrots And Sticks No Match For Global Warming Challenge

May 2, 2007

California, Insight, Legislation, Vol. 22 No. 04 Apr 2007, William Fulton

For the first time in 12 years, the Democrats are in charge of Congress. That ought to mean there is a long wish list somewhere regarding domestic policy issues, including issues associated with planning and development.

So far, we haven't seen much publicity on domestic policy – the Democrats, as more than a few media outlets have observed, are more interested in investigation than legislation. But as the congressional session unfolds, it won't be long before the new majority begins to focus on the two major federal policy levers that affect land use – the Big Carrot of transportation funding and the Big Stick of environmental regulation. In each case, a crisis appears to be forcing Congress's hand.

San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Confronts Regional Fragmentation

May 2, 2007

Insight, Regional planning, San Joaquin County, Vol. 22 No. 05 May 2007, William Fulton

Can the entire San Joaquin Valley embrace the idea of regional planning – or at least agree on a common vision for how to accommodate future growth?

State Senate Transportation And Housing Committee Backs Extensive Planning Legislation

May 2, 2007

California, CP&DR Staff, In Brief, Vol. 22 No. 05 May 2007

A far reaching piece of planning legislation wins unanimous backing from the state Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, the state attorney general's office sues San Bernardino County, prospects for a liquified natural gas terminal off the coast of Malibu look dim, Pasadena approves a redevelopment proposal for a portion of the Ambassador College campus, and Glendora's downtown village breaks ground on the first mixed-use project in over 50 years.

Density Photos Worth 1,000 Words

May 2, 2007

How many public hearings have you attended in which a development opponent or neighborhood organizer says he can't support 10 units an acre, but 6 might be acceptable? Or if 20 units an acre are proposed, maybe 10 would be OK. Do you think anybody in the room — including the activist — can actually imagine what the difference looks like?

Density, whether high or low, is not inherently good or bad. It all depends on the project and its environs.

Court Ruling Underscores Need For New Delta Strategy

Apr 30, 2007

Alameda County, Environment Watch, John Krist, Vol. 22 No. 05 May 2007, Water

Alameda Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch sent shock waves rippling through California's water community in late March when he ordered the giant pumps at the heart of the State Water Project (SWP) to shut down, potentially cutting off water to two-thirds of the state's population.

Parade: The People's Journal of Public Policy?

Apr 30, 2007

Nearly two years ago, when the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Kelo v. City of New London came down, CP&DR reported that the ruling wouldn't have much impact on California. And we were right, according to Jerold Kayden, co-chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. The decision was no surprise because the court majority simply reiterated established constitutional principles, said Kayden.

Minor League Stadium Needs Big-Time Subsidy

Apr 30, 2007

Deals, Economic development, Morris Newman, San Bernardino County, Vol. 22 No. 05 May 2007

The scene is a minor-league baseball stadium somewhere in the Inland Empire. The broadcasters are Ralph and Jim, a pair of middle-aged sportscasters, who are calling a Class-A game for local radio listeners.

Land Use Bill of the Year?

Apr 24, 2007

Senate Bill 303 by San Diego Democrat Denise Ducheny may well be the most controversial land use bill of the year. The bill is the building industry's vehicle for decreasing local government regulation. Not surprisingly, local governments are solidly in opposition. The bill sailed through the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee on a 10-0 vote in late March, but mostly because lawmakers tasked the Committee on Environmental Quality with the heavy lifting.

January 2007: Solimar Research Group Releases New Infill Study

Apr 20, 2007

Announcement

Solimar in conjunction with Los Angeles County releases infill study on the proposed Exposition light rail line in South Los Angeles

A Victory For Farmland Preservation

Apr 13, 2007

From any perspective, it was a remarkable decision. The Shasta County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in late March to reject an auto mall proposed on some of the best farmland in the county.

Articles

10 Years In The Life Of L.A.

State High Court Hears Zoning, CEQA Cases

Homeownership Programs Prove Tricky

Rancho Guejito: Environmental Gem Or New Growth Area?

Washington's Carrots And Sticks No Match For Global Warming Challenge

San Joaquin Valley Blueprint Planning Confronts Regional Fragmentation

State Senate Transportation And Housing Committee Backs Extensive Planning Legislation

Density Photos Worth 1,000 Words

Court Ruling Underscores Need For New Delta Strategy

Parade: The People's Journal of Public Policy?

Minor League Stadium Needs Big-Time Subsidy

Land Use Bill of the Year?

January 2007: Solimar Research Group Releases New Infill Study

A Victory For Farmland Preservation